Mutu-hei
Marquesan · deity · primordial · Recorded classification
The light-and-darkness cosmogony summarized by Dixon is disputed: Handy (1923, pp. 328–329) argues that its Fornander/Lawson text is a European fabrication. Personified Silence of the primeval void. With Tanaoa (Darkness), Mutu-hei ruled supreme in the Po. After Atea (Light) separated from Tanaoa and drove him off, Ono (Sound) evolved out of Atea and destroyed Mutu-hei — the second of the two cosmogonic conquests from which the dawn-goddess Atanua arose.
Variant accounts
- source review correctionHandy explicitly disputes the authenticity of the Fornander/Lawson light-and-darkness cosmogony. Its narrative claims must be attributed rather than presented as an uncontested account.E. S. C. Handy, The Native Culture in the Marquesas (1923), pp. 328–329 (primary); E. S. C. Handy, The Native Culture in the Marquesas (1923), pp. 165,245–247 (primary)
- source review correctionHandy explicitly disputes the authenticity of the Fornander/Lawson light-and-darkness cosmogony. Its narrative claims must be attributed rather than presented as an uncontested account.E. S. C. Handy, The Native Culture in the Marquesas (1923), pp. 328–329 (primary); E. S. C. Handy, The Native Culture in the Marquesas (1923), pp. 165,245–247 (primary)
Domains
- primordial silence
Powers
- Reign of primeval silence
Relations
- companion: TanaoaCoeval power of the Po; silence paired with darkness.Dixon 1916, ch. I — 'Tanaoa and Mutuhei ruled supreme in the primeval Po.' (primary)
- enemy: OnoDestroyed by Ono (Sound).Dixon 1916, ch. I — Ono destroyed Mutuhei. (primary)